USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-42CD. 2006. 7 Importance of Herpetofauna Within Ecosystems

Amphibians and reptiles, which we will refer to as her-petofauna, play important roles within ecosystems. Many consume insects, serve as food for birds, mammals, and other predators, and may be indicators of environmental health. Compared to birds and mammals, amphibians and reptiles are less mobile, have smaller home ranges, and thus may be affected to a greater degree by alterations to their habitat (Burton and Likens 1975). Yet, herpetofauna have long been overlooked by managers, biologists, and researchers. Herpetofauna as Consumers, Predators, and Prey Amphibians and reptiles eat a wide variety of foods, including plants, arthropods, birds, and small mammals. Many feed solely on arthropods. Whiptail lizards are active foragers and eat mostly moths and moth larva (Lepidoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), crickets and grass-hoppers (Orthoptera), and termites (Isoptera, Medica 1967, Degenhardt and others 1996). Amphibian species such as toads eat bees and ants (Hymenoptera), beetles, insect larvae (Hemiptera), and spiders (Arachnida, Degenhardt and others 1996)